Picture a royal court in ancient India. The king, seated on a grand throne, listens not just with his ears—but with intention. Around him are warriors, scholars, ministers, and diplomats. But here’s the interesting part: there are no job postings, no resumes, no LinkedIn recommendations. Yet the best minds find their way to the top.
“How?” you ask. Simple. The king observed.
A young warrior displays unusual courage in a surprise battle—he doesn’t just get praised, he gets promoted. A scholar speaks with clarity and wisdom in court—he’s quietly pulled aside and invited to become an advisor. No HR round. No aptitude test. Just observation and instinct.
Take Chanakya, for instance. He wasn’t appointed through a formal interview process. There was no panel asking him, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” He proved his worth through thought, vision, and strategy. He saw in Chandragupta Maurya what others didn’t—and guided him to build an empire. His hiring didn’t just fill a role. It rewrote history.
Now let’s fast-forward to today – Modern leaders—especially in mid-sized or family-run enterprises—are rediscovering this timeless truth: observe talent in action. Who steps up during a crisis? Who thinks beyond their role? Who leads without a title?
In ancient times, trust and talent went hand in hand. You weren’t made a Senapati (commander) just because of one good battle—you earned it through consistent loyalty and courage. Just like today’s C-suite roles, where companies look not just for skills, but for culture fit, integrity, and shared values.
Even future kings were tested. They’d be sent to govern a province, lead a mission, or handle conflict in a distant region. Their decisions shaped their destiny. Sounds familiar? Today, we call it probation, leadership rotations, or “acting” roles.
Learning :
- Don’t just interview—observe in action.
- Don’t rely only on degrees—test real responsibility.
- Don’t hire just for skill—look for purpose and alignment.
- And remember—loyalty and competence are timeless currencies.
Ancient kings didn’t read CVs. They read character.
Maybe it’s time we did too.
